Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Timing is Everything

Since each section of the test is timed literally to the second, pacing is critical. By taking practice examinations, you can become acquainted with the time frame and be prepared for the feeling of working under pressure. Something else that will help you with the time crunch is knowing your own test-taking style. When you take the reading test, for example, which should you read first, the passage or the questions? Should you read slowly or quickly? On the English test, which types of questions do you always get right? Which kind do you stumble over? Are the diagrams on the science reasoning test more comprehensible to you than the charts? Do you coast through algebra problems but get bogged down in trigonometry? The more you know about your personal test-taking style, the better you'll do. On test day, when your supervisor announces that there are five minutes left for this section, complete the questions you know first. In the case of the ACT, fill in answers to all questions at this time. In the case of the SAT, only answer questions where you can eliminate at least one or two of the answers.